Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
ACDA launches mentorship dimension of Youth Leadership Programme
A student (right) receives his ‘participation package’ from a GT&T representative.
On Friday November 21, 2008, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) launched the Mentorship dimension of its IDB Youth Leadership Programme that is jointly funded by the Inter American Development Bank.
The launching, which was held at the ACDA’s Thomas Lands office, was launched with Rhonda Johnson and Debra Boodie of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company spearheading the proceedings.
This launch was the culmination of several activities that began with a three-day Youth Forum that began on September 8 with discussions on Social Inclusion, Career Planning, Self Esteem, and Community Service.
These activities culminated with two documents that would be shared by each mentor as a basis of understanding the needs, growth areas and attitudes of each youth to particular issues facing them.
The overall goal of this mentorship programme is to assist the young leaders ‘to empower themselves educationally, culturally, economically, politically and socially’.
Part of the process leading up to this moment in the programme was the viewing and discussion of three films, ‘The Secret’ , ‘500 Years After’ and ‘Freedom Writers’. Through these films, the young leaders were guided through introspection and asked to reflect on their current lives and lifestyles and their future dreams.
At the launch, Programme Director, Eric Phillips, said that each mentor is being carefully selected to ensure maximum benefit to the Young Leaders and the chosen mentor. Each mentor is provided with guidelines which include a sheet entitled “characteristics of a good mentor”.
It is expected that by the end of the month each of the thirty Youth Leaders will be assigned to a mentor. Both Rhonda Johnson and Debra Boodie made presentations to the group on what they do and how they plan to be mentors.
GT&T has been one of the first corporate entities to volunteer to participate in the program and has been very supportive of the entire IDB sponsored initiative.
Three of the young leaders, one each from Agricola, Buxton and Albouystown, are being provided mentors by GT&T. Other companies associated with the venture include Guyana Goldfields, the Guyana Defense Force, Ming’s Products and Services, and many prominent individuals.
Currently the Young Leaders are involved in classes in the areas of Leadership and Intercommunity Dialogue; Health and Healthy Lifestyles; Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management ; and of course, Agriculture /Environmental Management. (Alex Wayne)
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